Supporting local decision-making

Better data is essential to improve health outcomes, yet routinely available data for the monitoring of progress are often of low quality. Even where rich data sources are available, there can be limited capacity to synthesise, interpret and learn from the data.

IDEAS works to support local decision-making in Nigeria, Ethiopia and India.

In Nigeria, IDEAS has worked with the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency and partners to implement six-monthly Data-driven Learning Workshops designed to continuously examine progress and promote data-informed decision making.

In Ethiopia, building on lessons learned during a prototype phase in West Bengal, India, IDEAS implements the Data-Informed Platform for Health (DIPH). – The DIPH is a structured method combining a toolkit with facilitated discussions and action planning. This involves a five-step cycle running every 3-4 months at district level. Standardized job-aids facilitate linking of input and process data from health and other sectors onto a common data-sharing platform. Government and non-government stakeholders analyse the data, identify challenges and gaps and agree on measures to be taken to resolve issues.